Framework's Memory Price Surge: More Increases Ahead?

Once again, Framework, well-known for its modular PCs, has announced a rise in the prices of its DDR5 RAM modules as the cost of memory continues its upward trend.

Starting now, Framework will set its DDR5 RAM prices at $10 per gigabyte for modules of 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB.

The Impact of Rising Costs

Earlier this month, the company announced initial price hikes due to significantly increased expenses from their suppliers and distribution partners. This latest adjustment sees the 8GB unit rise from $60 to $80. Similarly, the 16GB and 32GB modules have escalated from $120 to $160 and $240 to $320, respectively.

Prices for the 48GB option saw a more dramatic increase, jumping from $240 to over $620. The cost of 64GB (in a 2 x 32GB setup) and 96GB modules (comprising 2 x 48GB) also climbed, now priced at $640 and a staggering $1,240.

Framework's Adaptive Strategies

This surge in pricing influences the memory choices in Framework’s DIY Edition laptops. In an attempt to keep some control over rising costs, Framework permits users to purchase the DIY Edition without pre-installed memory, encouraging the use of existing modules or sourcing alternative options through recommended partners like PCPartPicker.

Future Price Hikes Expected

Framework cautions that these increases might not be the last. In their update, they signify that supplier trends point to potential price rises extending into early 2026. Although Framework commits to only adjusting their prices to align with supplier costs, they acknowledge the possibility of additional adjustments soon.

Framework emphasizes their commitment to revert any upward price adjustments should the costs recede.

Additionally, industry predictions from the International Data Corporation suggest that these challenges in memory pricing may persist until 2027, as major manufacturers such as Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix focus efforts on the burgeoning AI sector.